We have a self defense course for women and teen girls that is amazing!  It’s about 6 months of training in one day.  Part safety awareness, part hands on self defense, this course is designed by women FOR women who have NO martial arts training.  It’s not a requirement.  We have had women in their 60’s with bad backs able to benefit from this training.  Self defense is like swimming, everyone should know the basics. Available for groups of ten or more either on site or off.  Call for details. 666-2467.

In martial arts it is widely known that one art leads to another.  So it is in the art world as well.  With that, we have established an art gallery here at our training center that now has 4 juried artists exhibiting their works. 
On Saturday, November 1, 2008 from 6-9:00 pm, we will be presenting an art exhibit for FULL CIRCLE ART GALLERY. 
Come and meet the artists: Vera Smith, Jaboba Toussain, Jan Bonner and Rhonda Payne.  Each artist will display works in a variety of mediums, from fabric, watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, colored pencil, wood, sterling silver, stone and clay. 
A silent auction will be held and will benefit the SARA Sanctuary, the Southern Animal Rescue Association.
Demonstrations will be held throughout to evening.  Please join us for an enchanted evening.

It’s time for a membership drive.  If you refer a friend and they try an introductory course, you win!  Details are in the newsletter. 
Classes are going great and the Fitness Program is doing terrific!  If you are interested, be sure to check the schedule in the fitness area for any available slots- they are going fast!
It’s a one on one training that is fun, affordable and the results are incredible.
Also, be sure to check out the new fall jackets we have in the pro shop. With a fully embroidered back and your name embroidered on the front, it’s an awesome jacket.  They can be ordered, or, you can win one by referring just three new students. 

You may have noticed the amazing new fitness equipment we have installed.  It’s for our new one on one fitness program, led by Coach Bonner.  It’s a 6-week course, working together 3 times per week.  Focusing on flexibility, strength training, core training and cardio, you are SURE to see positive results.  Give Coach Bonner a call if you are interested.  A limited number of slots are available, so reserve your spot today!

Summer is in full swing and it’s time for another camp!  We are hosting two camps for July.  First, a weapons camp from July 21-25th.   Registration deadline is the 11th.  We will be working on the bo staff, the nunchucks, the sai, the escrima sticks and the kamas. 
We are also hosting a 5 week series of Saturday Art Classes.  We will be working with clay, both air dry and kiln fired.  We’ll learn some drawing and painting techniques and we’ll spend some time working with leather tooling.  It promises to be a fantastic journey!  Registration ends July 10th. 

  If you missed the opportunity to train with O-Sensei Porter a few weeks back, well, sorry.  It was an amazing two days. 
Not just because this man is a tenth degree black belt.  Not just because he has been in martial arts, particularly Judo, for the past 65 years.  Not just because he was the head coach of the National Judo Team for 35 years and produced hundreds of champions. 
No, if you missed being a part of O-Sensei’s visit, you missed a gift that cannot be duplicated. 
O-Sensei Porter is a true living legend.  He is a retired Air Force officer who has given his time, effort and energy for the sport and art of Judo, with a passion that is unmatched. 
Besides being-literally– a brilliant man, he is also a humble warrior.  At the age of 84, he is still traveling and giving over 100 seminars per year. 
It’s not often you get to meet someone of this caliber.  Now, with that said, let me add this.  The purpose of O-Sensei’s visit was to acknowledge the contributions, passion and excellence in teaching and coaching of Sensei Jan Bonner AND to make up for some past promotions that she had not gotten.  In front of her students, and her parents, she was acknowledged for her 40 years of involvement in Judo and promoted to the rank of 7th Dan.  In Japanese, it’s called Shichidan.
She was not only a talented competitor, she was the first woman to open a Judo club in San Antonio, the first woman to host a Judo tournament in the state of Texas and the reason Judo made a comeback in San Antonio, as, there were NO clubs at the time she started the Lackland Judo Club, which she ran for ten years- as a volunteer.  
While he was here, O-Sensei also acknowledged the talent and potential of Dimitri Kolijn, Sensei Bonner’s assistant coach and awarded him a jump promotion from 1st degree brown belt to 3rd degree brown belt.  This is one step away from Shodan, or Black belt.  Quite an honor, and a rare one at that. 
He also acknowledged Master Payne’s competitive history and years of devotion and promoted her to 7th Dan, Grand Master.
If you did not have the opportunity to meet O-Sensei and/or take part in the seminars, don’t worry.  He was so impressed with our students and our facility, that he has agreed to come back in the fall,  sometime around November, when he makes his national tour.  So, if and when that unfolds, we will  let you know.
 

We introduced our Master’s Mix Fitness Class in January and it’s going great!  If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a fun mix of boxing, low impact exercise, martial arts moves, pilates, yoga and more all bundled into a half-hour class that’s sure to get your blood flowing and your face smiling!
Monday and Wednesday classes are from 5:45-6:15 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15-12:45pm and Fridays from 6:15-6:45pm.  The hardest part is getting started, so, to make it easier, your first class is free.  See you there!